Portrait of the artist – in the city that inspired her

As a new film opens on the life of Frida Kahlo, Debbie Lawson visits the artist's home town, the vibrant metropolis of Mexico City, which still boasts a thriving art scene.

Choose life

Most tourists head straight out of Mexico City, but Paul Hamilos stayed behind to join the Frida Kahlo trail and discovered that the new film about Mexico's legendary artist isn't a patch on reality.

All the town’s a stage

From Will-themed teatowels to the mosaic of the Bard over the front of HSBC, there's something slightly unreal about the Stratford-upon-Avon experience, says Justine Jordan. But if you've come for the RST's Christmas programme, you won't be disappointed.

Rare treats

Dorothy Stannard, executive editor of the insight series of guides to Europe, picks 10 overlooked museums to visit.

Travels with Stevenson

Author Hilary Macaskill and a donkey called Kenneth follow the route of the Scots writer 124 years ago in Haute Loire.

Cote of many colours

In picture after picture of the great Picasso-Matisse exhibition at Tate Modern, the fourth dimension is the light. In fact, it is in large part all that remains of the Côte d'Azur that the two artists knew and loved.

Keep it in the family

The best way to learn a language is to eat, sleep, live and breathe it. Joanne O'Connor immerses herself in Peruvian life on a Spanish course and home stay in Cusco.

Travel that really improves the mind

All work and no play can get very dull. Combine language lessons with fiestas or dance classes, gastronomy or golf. Tom Templeton shows you how.

Jazzing it up

Anyone who loves jazz loves Louis Armstrong. And now New Orleans celebrates him every year. Richard Gilbert joins in the Satchmo Summerfest.

Barcelona pays tribute to the interior decorator

To celebrate 150 years since Gaudí's birth, Barcelona is opening some of his previously closed works to the public. Annie Bennett has a nose round.

Can I stay in Le Corbusier’s Unite d’Habitation?

I believe tourists can stay in Le Corbusier's Unite d'Habitation in Marseille. Where would I book and what does it cost? Mark Baker

Art attack

From a newly discovered Michelangelo sketch to a collection of antique clocks, Imogen Tilden is overwhelmed by the range of exhibits at the European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht

Classic journeys

Tourists have long flocked to places made famous by writers and their novels. Author Giles Foden looks at the lasting link between literature and holidays.

Grape expectations

John Steinbeck was born 100 years ago next week in California, the land he called Eden. Richard Knight makes a west coast pilgrimage.

The importance of being Ernest

Hemingway returned to the marshland of the Veneto years after serving there with the Red Cross. Thomas Rees hears a few fishy tales of a life of drink and ducks.